Muslim Brotherhood use Sudan’s crisis to comeback

In the intricate tapestry of Sudan’s political landscape, the Muslim Brotherhood’s influence persists as a daunting challenge to the country’s fledgling democracy. The Brotherhood, historically allied with the now-ousted regime of Omar al-Bashir, continues to assert its deep-set presence in state institutions, thus complicating Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led government.

The ongoing conflict, particularly between Sudan’s military and paramilitary groups, has forced up to 300,000 people to flee their homes in Jazeera province alone. This escalating violence has led to a significant setback in humanitarian efforts, with organisations like the World Food Programme halting assistance in certain regions. With 7 million people displaced and over 1.5 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, the situation in Sudan is dire.

Since the conflict in Sudan erupted on April 15, the RSF has adopted a vehemently anti-Islamist tone, accusing groups such as the Brotherhood of infiltrating the SAF as a vehicle to further their political agenda.

While the political reality is probably more complicated than how the RSF seeks to portray it, the Muslim Brotherhood’s influence does call into question the durability of Sudan’s secular foundations.

Since the fall of al-Bashir’s government in 2019, Sudan has grappled with economic hardship, political instability, and social unrest. The Brotherhood’s political maneuvering and entrenched involvement in various factions of the military and state institutions pose significant impediments to the country’s path to peace. Often perceived as a ‘bullet in the heart of Sudan,’ the Brotherhood remains a contentious and influential force that needs to be addressed.

Even after that government’s overthrow in 2019, the Brotherhood proved to be resilient and influential. Now, against the backdrop of the fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, some fear that the group may attempt to make a comeback.

Over several decades, the Brotherhood was able to build support among various segments of Sudanese society through its advocacy of political Islam and social justice. During their rule, the Islamists implemented Sharia law — a move rejected by swathes of the population who adhered to Christianity and other local faiths, triggering a brutal civil war.